Township of Muhlenberg, PA Chapter 49 Manager

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Muhlenburg 10-15-1984 by Ord. No. 205 (Ch. 39 of the 1982 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 49-1 Establishment of office.

The Office of Township Manager is hereby created by the Township of Muhlenberg.

§ 49-2 Appointment, tenure, contract and removal.

[Amended 3-19-2012 by Ord. No. 506]

The Township Manager, hereinafter referred to as "Manager," shall be appointed, except as otherwise may be provided by a contract with the Manager, for an indefinite term, by majority vote of the Board, hereinafter referred to as the "Board." The Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and may be removed at any time by majority vote of the Board. The terms and conditions of the employment of the Manager, including terms regarding severance, may be more fully defined in a contract between the Manager and the Township, which shall be approved by majority vote of the Board. Any such contract shall have a term ending on the date of the reorganization meeting of the Board following the next municipal election, which term may be extended by the Board following such reorganization meeting.

§ 49-3 Qualifications.

The Manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of his executive and administrative abilities. He shall be deemed to qualify for the position of Township Manager by his having any one or a combination of any of the following:

A. Bachelor of Arts degree in governmental administration and three years of experience in the field of governmental administration.

B. The equivalent training by reason of his experience and other formal or informal educational background, which, in the sole discretion of the Board, qualifies the individual for the office of Township Manager.

§ 49-4 Bond.

Before entering upon his duties, the Manager shall give a bond to the Township with corporate surety to be approved by the Board in the sum of $25,000, conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties. The premium shall be paid by the Township.

§ 49-5 Compensation.

Compensation of the Manager shall be in the sum as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Commissioners by resolution.

§ 49-6 Duties and authority of Manager.

[Amended 3-19-2012 by Ord. No. 506]

The Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Township, and he shall be responsible to the Board as a whole for the proper and efficient administration of the affairs of the Township. His powers and duties shall relate to the general management of all Township business not expressly imposed or conferred upon other Township officers by statute, ordinance or resolution. The Board is hereby authorized to delegate to the Manager, subject to recall by written notification at any time, any of its nonlegislative and nonjudicial powers and duties. Subject to recall by ordinance, the powers and duties of the Manager shall include the following:

A. The Manager shall supervise and be responsible for the activities of all municipal departments.

B. The Manager shall prepare and submit to the Board before the close of the fiscal year, or on such alternate date as the Board shall determine, a budget for the next fiscal year and an explanatory budget message. In preparing the budget, the Manager or an officer designated by him shall obtain from the head of each department, agency, board or officer estimates of revenues and expenditures and other supporting data as he requires. The Manager shall review such estimates and may revise them before submitting the budget to the Board.

C. The Manager shall be responsible for the administration of the entire budget, including the Police Department, after its adoption by the Board.

D. The Manager shall, under the direction of the Board, execute and enforce the laws of the commonwealth and the ordinances and resolutions of the Township.

E. The Manager shall attend all meetings of the Board unless otherwise directed by the Board.

F. The Manager shall prepare the agenda for each meeting of the Board and supply facts pertinent thereto.

G. The Manager shall keep the Board informed as to the conduct of Township affairs, submit periodic reports on the condition of Township finances and such other reports as the Board shall request, and make such recommendations to the Board as he deems necessary.

H. The Manager shall submit to the Board, as soon as possible after the close of the fiscal year, a complete report on the financial activities of the Township for the preceding year.

I. The Manager shall see that the provisions of all franchises, leases, permits and privileges granted by the Township are observed.

J. The Manager may employ experts and consultants to perform work and to advise in connection with any of the functions of the Township.

K. The Manager shall attend to the letting of contracts in due form of law and supervise the performance and faithful execution of the same, except insofar as such duties are expressly imposed upon some other Township official by statute or ordinance.

L. The Manager shall see that all money owed the Township is promptly paid and the proper procedures are taken for the security and collection of the Township claims.

M. The Manager shall be the purchasing officer of the Township, and he shall purchase, in accordance with the provisions of the Township Code, all supplies and equipment for the various agencies, boards, departments and other offices of the Township. He shall keep an account of all purchases and shall, from time to time or when directed by the Board, make a full written report thereof. He shall also issue rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the Board, governing the requisition and purchase of municipal supplies and equipment.

N. The Manager shall cooperate with the Board at all times and in all matters to promote the best interest of the Township and of the general public.

O. All complaints regarding services or personnel shall be referred to the Manager. He or an officer designated by him shall investigate and dispose of such complaints, and he shall report thereon to the Board.

P. The Manager is authorized and empowered to institute and pursue actions at law or in equity in any court having jurisdiction to enforce the ordinances and resolutions of this Township and to sign and verify any and all pleadings required in any such action in the name of this Township and to take any and all lawful and necessary actions to effect such enforcement.

Q. Realizing the complexity of Township business and departmental division of responsibility, the Manager is authorized and empowered to delegate the foregoing authority to any person employed by this Township having departmental responsibility for such enforcement and knowledge of the matters in issue.

§ 49-7 Performance of duties during illness or absence.

If the Township Manager becomes ill or is unable to attend to his duties as Township Manager, the duties of Township Manager shall be performed during his absence or disability by such person as may be recommended by the Township Manager and approved by the Board.